Jr. High Basketball

[zapman]

Just got my Rebel XT and Canon 18-55 f3.5-5.6 IS and took some pictures of my girlfriend's little brothers basket ballteam playing, I don't think I did to bad but I had a hard time trying to figure out what focus setting I should have been using! C&C welcome along with tips greatly appriceated!!
1.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Jeremy_Rawe/IMG_0290.jpg

2.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Jeremy_Rawe/IMG_0312.jpg

3.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Jeremy_Rawe/IMG_0311.jpg

4.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Jeremy_Rawe/IMG_0302.jpg

5.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v457/Jeremy_Rawe/IMG_0298-1.jpg

thanks for looking!

[royv]

They are okay seeing the lens you used, but if you want to shoot Basketball more regularly..then you'd better do yourself a favor by getting an 85mm f/1.8 lens.

[jaharris1001]

I agree with Royv,, f3.5 is typically to slow for this type of shooting,, I have the 85mm f1.8 and it works great for these things,, I see you have a nifty fifty coming,, that will work great also if youre down on the court. I do like the wide angle look though on these.

[H20boy]

I can't believe how poorly lighting is in the gyms for middle school! They are not designed for any type of photography, and you did you're best with the lighting and gear that you had on hand. You were at ISO1600 and wide open on your lens, which i am guessing isn't the best IQ unless it is stopped down a couple clicks. you can't afford that here, unfortunately. An external flash may help considerably, but if you look at lots of other sports threads around here, direct flashing the players is certainly discouraged. Bouncing off walls at least can help you a little bit.

I'm in the same boat as you...trying to take game pics of my niece. I am struggling with sharp, well exposed shots as well. Keep practicing.

[zapman]

Thank you for all the words of encouragement! Lighting maybe subpar for middle school since this is a gym of a small private catholic school so no state funding for extra lighting! Maybe lighting is better at the brand new public gradeschool will be much better but probably not lol!

which focus modes is better? AI focus or AI servo for basketball and other sports? I noticed in AI servo I didn't get a focus lock beep so I just shot when I thought was best never knowing what was being focused

[TopGear1Ds]

which focus modes is better? AI focus or AI servo for basketball and other sports? I noticed in AI servo I didn't get a focus lock beep so I just shot when I thought was best never knowing what was being focused
The whole concept behind AI Servo is that the camera is constantly correcting focus. It'll never stop and beep because it'll be working to maintain focus the whole time you have the shutter partially depressed. Do be careful with AI Servo though, because you have to constantly keep your active AF point on the subject. There is no focusing and then recomposing the shot, since the instant you move the AF point off of the subject, focus will jump to the background.

That said, yes, AI Servo is the way to go for sports photography :)

edit: Oh, and you should select a single AF point when using AI Servo. Don't leave them all enabled (for the same reasons I just explained.. focus can jump unexpectedly)

[Zivnuska]

Poor lighting. I feel your pain! I'm shooting the 85mm f/1.8 and still end up at ISO 3200. That lens will help your images. Get it for about $325.

Some 7th grade girls BB:

http://valleycentersports.shutterfly.com

click: VC 7th Girls vs Hutchinson
view as a slideshow
view fullscreen

[ChefDave]

They are okay seeing the lens you used, but if you want to shoot Basketball more regularly..then you'd better do yourself a favor by getting an 85mm f/1.8 lens.

With the 1.6 conversion factor you might want to get the 50mm 1.4